Wiltshire League: Bassett boss delighted with defending

WOOTTON Bassett development manager Mark Varney was pleased with his side’s defence as they held off a spirited Corsham Town reserves to win 2-1 on Saturday.

Bassett had conceded 13 goals in three games, albeit they won two of those encounters 5-4.

Last Tuesday, they were thumped 5-1 at home by Southbrook but on Saturday goals either side of half-time from Andy Guppy and Jake Covey brought about a more conventional scoreline.

Varney was pleased with the defensive discipline his side showed, especially in the last ten minutes with Corsham chasing an equaliser.

“They tried their hardest to put us under pressure and I was well chuffed with how the team played,” said Varney.

“If I’m honest, I couldn’t fault them. I could be picky and pull holes in players if I wanted. As a team performance, having conceded 13 goals in the last three games, I think it showed the team’s character.

“It was quite an open game. No one was 100 per cent on top for the whole game.

“We had our spells, Corsham had their spells. They put us under a lot of pressure at 2-1 but our ‘keeper and back four dealt with that well. Despite the pressure, we didn’t look like were conceding.

“I was really pleased with the response from last Tuesday. Jake Matthews, who had to go off injured after 70 minutes, was running the show. Ray Lovell, who was my man of the match, he set-up the first goal for Andy (Guppy) with a cross and gave their left-back a torrid time for the full period.”

Early season table-toppers Devizes Town Reserves also won on their travels as they saw off Vale of Pewsey 4-2 whilst Melksham Town Reserves also enjoyed a successful away day, beating Trowbridge Wanderers 2-0.